John, who ran the North East-based holiday firm alongside his wife Irene, lost his life today after collapsing at the firm’s headquarters in Sunderland.
Founded in 1980, Hays Travel is now the largest independent travel agent in the UK.
The company has released a statement confirming the sad news and said John died “doing the job he loved”.
A Hays Travel spokesman said: “”It is with the deepest sadness and regret that we have to announce that John Hays, the founder and managing director of Hays Travel died today, while doing the job he loved.
“John, who with his wife and co-owner Irene Hays bought the Thomas Cook retail estate a year ago, was at work in the company’s Sunderland head office when he collapsed.
“John built Hays Travel into the UK’s largest independent travel agent providing jobs and careers for thousands of young people over 40 years.
